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Hawaiians Dominate BVI’s Painkiller Cup

Hawaiians Dominate BVI’s Painkiller Cup

Hawaiian SUP racer Kody Kerbox led his team to a resounding victory in the 2014 Painkiller Cup. The team, which included Noa Ginella and Lori Park, completed the course in 2 hours 30 minutes, pocketing $5,750 for their efforts.

Conditions for the 14-mile downwind race began with drizzle and light wind, but cleared to 12- to 15-knots and sparkling sunny conditions. The event, a three-person team race, which mandates at least one woman on each roster, sees paddlers head down the North Shore of Tortola and finish at the World Famous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. Changeovers are required every 30 minutes.

Maui's Kody Kerbox charging to a victory.

“The course was great,” explained Kerbox’s teammate Lori Park. “We started in the flat water amongst the islands at the east end of Tortola, then paddled down the island’s North Shore before striking out across to Sandy Cay. The last few miles were on the south side of Jost Van Dyke.”

The Hawaiians, racing a 14’ Naish Glide, posted an impressive opening leg to claim the $750 prize that was offered to the team that reached the Guana Island cut-in first. Their lead dwindled a little as they worked down Tortola’s North shore with Team BOGA pulling within striking distance. Then, they headed offshore for the open water leg to Sandy Cay. Halfway down that leg they were a half-mile ahead, but then doubled that lead by the time there were off the southeastern tip of Jost Van Dyke and on the final stretch to White Bay.

Second overall went to the combined Team BOGA of Bill Kraft and Isabelle Picard from St. Croix who were joined by Nat Ford from St. John.

Team BOGA's Bill Kraft going strong into a second place finish.

“Bill and Nat held their own against the Hawaiians,” observed organizer Andy Morrell. “But, it was interesting to see the differences in technique. The Hawaiians caught every wave and rode them further.”

The Caribbean Surf Company Team, including Colin Butler, Gail Vento and Eric Walker, finished in third overall. The St. Thomas racers, who finished second in the 2012 Painkiller Cup, overwhelmed a formidable Team InterNaishional comprising of America’s Cup Champion Sailors Jimmy Spithill and Shannon Falcone, who were joined by Paula Lenny, Hawaiian and mother of three-time World Champion Kai Lenny.

Team Riviera, featuring Helga Goebel, Lee Donovan and Brian Duff rounded out the top five.

A total of $11,000 in prize money was awarded.

The Mini-Painkiller Cup was run concurrently, with German racer Petra Offermans edging out 14-year-old Sam Morrell from Tortola for the win in the shorter 3-mile race from Sandy Cay to the Soggy Dollar Bar.

This entry was posted
on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014 at 12:05 pm and is filed under Industry News.
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